Page | 8system that lodges itself over the northwestern part of the country.^27 In fact, winter is
generally the sunniest season in Mongolia.^28 Some winters, however, can bring heavy
snow or frozen films of ice following premature thaws. Such conditions can produce a
zud (“lack of grazing”), leading to catastrophic livestock losses for Mongolian
herders.29,^30
Mongolia’s short frost-free period generally runs for about 100 days, from late May to
the end of August. The brevity of the growing season both hampers crop production and
limits the diversity of Mongolia’s plant life.
(^31) Daytime temperatures increase
dramatically during Mongolia’s summer. The Gobi Desert region can become very hot
during this time of year, with recorded temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F).^32 The
summer months also receive much of Mongolia’s annual rainfall.^33 Precipitation amounts
generally decrease from north to south, with the wettest areas occurring to the far north
near Lake Hovskul and in the Hentyn and Hangayn Mountains.34,^35
(^27) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 7–9.
(^28) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 8.
(^29) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 8.
(^30) Michael Koln, “Environment: The Great Zud,” in Mongolia, 5th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia:
Lonely Planet Publications, 2008), 49.
(^31) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 8.
(^32) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 8.
(^33) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 7.
(^34) Jane Blunden, “Background Information: Climate,” in Mongolia, 2nd ed. (Chalfont, St. Peter, UK: Bradt
Travel Guides Ltd., 2008), 7.
(^35) Donald R. DeGlopper, “Chapter 2: The Society and Its Environment: Geography: Landforms,” in
Mongolia: A Country Study, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991), 64.